Queensland residents affected by recent record breaking flooding have been urged to take the risk of injury and infection seriously while cleaning up after storms and floods in the region.

Queensland Health's Public Health Physician Dr James Smith said outbreaks of disease following flooding were not common in Australia, but there is an increased risk of infection if people come into direct contact with polluted water.

"The general advice is that people stay out of flooded water as much as possible.

"Dirty flood water can turn a small scratch into a serious wound infection," Dr Smith says.

People living in affected parts of Queensland may be hit by an influx of mosquitoes which could potentially spread viruses, while others may be exposed to dirty drinking water.

QLD Health is warning residents to be aware of any residual water on and around properties as it can become breeding grounds for mosquito-spread diseases.

Dr Smith says the risk of mosquito borne virus is not uncommon in central Queensland.

"In central Queensland we have both Ross River and Barmah Forest virus, which are similar mosquito-borne viruses.

"We had around 300 cases of Ross River and 100 of Barmah Forest virus last year," Dr Smith says.

Dr Smith says there's no specific treatment available for either virus, but both viruses will usually result in a fever, rash (which may last for 10 days), joint pain, swelling and muscle pains.

The advice is to avoid going outside when mosquitoes are most active, and to check that fly screens are still intact on your house after water inundation.

Mosquitoes breed in containers that hold water, including pot plant bases, tyres and tarps where water can gather.

"These mosquitoes do not like to travel far from mosquito breeding sites, so you're at increased risk if you don't clean the area around your home when the water has receded.

Authorities are also concerned about residents drinking unsafe water, and local councils in many affected regions have issued notices about boiling water for drinking to ensure is safe and free from contamination.

QLD Health says any water you suspect may be contaminated (e.g. dirty or cloudy) should be treated before drinking.

The same precaution should be taken when considering food waste after a major flooding event.

"If you're power has failed for more than one day the food in your fridge may become unsafe to eat.

"Refrigerated food will spoil before frozen foods, so that food should be eaten first.

"Any food that has started to spoil should be thrown out, especially if it smells or tastes funny, or it's slimy.

Dr Smith says re-freezing partially defrosted food can be done, but the shelf life and quality will be reduced.

He says diarrhoea and viral illnesses can become prevalent in communities that experience flooding disasters if appropriate safety measures for personal and food hygiene aren't taken.